Professional Mentoring Programme

Inspire Potential; Awaken Possibility
Professional Mentoring Programme

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Welcome to the Professional Mentoring Programme

The Professional Mentoring programme matches students with a Professional Mentor – individuals from industry, alumni, non-alumni, staff members – all giving their time and knowledge to support students both undergraduate and postgraduate at the University of Plymouth. The programme is only open to current students at the University. You must be studying throughout the entirety of the programme. Unfortunately if you apply but graduate before the programme starts you will not be accepted.

Students and Mentors work together over six months with four contact points. These contact points can be face to face, telephone calls, email conversations or via an online platform such as Skype or Microsoft Teams. 

Have questions? Unsure if this is for you? Drop-ins and information sessions can be found on the appointment calendar on myCareer.

 

Who can apply?

Applications are open to all students in all undergraduate years. For postgraduate students the Mentoring Programme is only open to students who are studying postgraduate taught and masters courses only. Unfortunately this is not open to postgraduate research courses.

Priority matching will go to students who fall under the following groups in keeping with the University’s Widening Participation Strategic statement; care leavers, students with disabilities, mature students, black and ethnic minority students and low participation neighbourhoods to ensure we offer a full supportive package. Secondary matching will then to go all other applicants who have not been on the programme before.

 

What do I gain as a student?

Sam Tunstall, BA (Hons) International Business 2019 student

"The mentoring programme provided me a dedicated time each month to focus on my future. It provided a consistent approach to achieving my long term goals and taught me how taking small, regular steps will add up to big differences."

Joyita Ashton-Simon, BSC(Hons) Psychology 2019 student

"My Mentor was exceptional. She was patient, organised and career driven. We looked at enriching my CV, setting up a linkedIn account, networking and most importantly building my confidence in believing I can achieve all the things I sat out to do, both short and long term. I'm not sure if I'd be the same person I am today without having this opportunity."

Garion Field, BSC (Hons) Environmental science 2019

"I highly recommend this to all students at the university who are looking for a competitive edge and for further insight into industry, as well as making new contacts. "

Why be a mentor?

Thomas Godwin, Citizens Advice Plymouth 2020 mentor

“The Professional Mentoring Programme is simply one of the most enjoyable, well organised and rewarding schemes I have ever had the pleasure to be involved with. Structured and well supported by the Careers Service team you are left at the end with an experience that whilst hopefully rewarding for the student is actually hugely stimulating for my own interest and development."

Shane Bennett, Cathedral Financial Management 2020 mentor

"I would urge anyone to give mentoring a go given the opportunity. It’s been incredibly rewarding supporting my​  mentee with their career development but also a chance to self-reflect , grow an understanding of your core values​  and assess what you do and why."

Georgia Martin, Spicerack 2019 Mentor

"Being part of this year’s mentoring program has been very fulfilling in many ways; being able to give something back from my experience so far in industry.  I feel the mentoring program is very beneficial for both mentor and mentee and definitely helps bridge the gap between studies and being in industry."

Tom and his mentor Adam

Tom and his mentor Adam

Tom Politt 

Tom took part in the 2018 programme and is now Film Production Assistant with University of Plymouth Marketing Services​

"One huge benefit was meeting people, that is one of the best ways to get into any industry – knowing someone. If you are friendly and show willing, people will want to work with you.​ I got some work experience with my mentor and now I work in their team full-time. Without that experience and knowing the team I would have found it much harder to secure the role.​"

"I would recommend the mentoring programme to anyone and everyone, the exposure you get from people in industry is invaluable, some people pay a huge amount of money for mentoring after they have graduated, don’t let the opportunity of free mentorship pass-you-by at such a crucial stage of your development​."

Ayana and her mentor Steve

Ayana and her mentor Steve

Ayana Marno

Ayana a BEng Robotics student took part in the 2018 programme.

"Steve helped me​ create a professional CV that covered everything I have​ learnt during my degree. He set up factory tours, both​ at his own workplace and another company. This helped​ me start professional networking and widen my contacts​ through my LinkedIn account which Steve helped me to create. I would not​ have had the confidence in my own knowledge and ability​ to get through interviews and put myself forward without​ this support​."

"Ayana was a great mentee, we covered networking,​ LinkedIn, CV, cover letters and job applications; we both​ benefitted from our learning and experience with new​ skills."​ Steve, Mentor

Mentee benefits | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and working with a professional in industry to explore your career goals and personal development.

Being a Mentor | Professional Mentoring Programme

Find out about the benefits of joining the Professional Mentoring Programme and supporting one of our students in their future career.

Mentoring timelines

The Professional Mentoring Programme will be running two strands in the next cycle, please read carefully the dates below.

PMP1

Applications open: 12 April 2021
Applications close: 15 October 2021

Student training days:

18-22 and 25-29 October 2021

You will be expected to attend 1 session within these dates.

Mentor training dates:

25-29 October 2021 and 1-5 November 2021

Optional attendance at a session between these dates.

Start of programme:

8 November 2021

The first meeting will be at a Meet Your Mentor event between these dates, there will be 6 options overall to choose from, you attend one session together to start the programme officially.

  • 8-12 November 2021
  • 15-19 November 2021
  • 22-26 November 2021


End of programme:

30 April 2022

PMP2

Applications open: 1 October 2021
Applications close: 31 December 2021

Student training days:

24-28 January and 31 January - 4 February 2022

You will be expected to attend 1 session within these dates.

Mentor training dates:

7-11 February 2022

Optional attendance at a session between these dates.

Start of programme:

Start 14th February

The first meeting will be at a Meet Your Mentor event between these dates, there will be 4 options overall to choose from, you attend one session together to start the programme officially.

  • 14-18 February 2022
  • 21-25 February 2022


End of programme:

31 July 2022​

Further support

Any questions?

If you have any questions or queries please contact Annette Goddard, Student Engagement Officer, and Melanie Jones, Student Engagement Administrator.

Email: mentoring.careers@plymouth.ac.uk

Linkedin

Drop-in and information sessions can be found on myCareer